APRIL 23, 2007 -- Berk-Tek (search for Berk-Tek) today announced a new indoor/outdoor fiber- optic drop cable designed specifically for the security and fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) markets, including multi-dwelling/multi-tenant unit (MDU/MTU) applications.
The Adventum ATx--ATR (riser-rated) or ATP (Plenum-rated) cables--are available in one or two tight-buffered fibers in a loose tube cable design, incorporating Berk-Tek's DryGel technology, which the company claims is the industry's first all-dry water-blocking system. According to Berk-Tek, the new fiber cable enables significant cost reductions over traditional indoor/outdoor installation methods; the cable performs well in wide temperature and environmental conditions, such as in the outside plant or indoors through risers or plenum areas. Moreover, no transition points are required, says the company.
Fiber-optic cable often is used in security applications due to its extended distances, immunity to EMI and other interferences, and superior signal integrity. The smaller design and flexibility of this cable makes installing and terminating in these deployments quicker and easier and eliminates strand waste, say Berk-Tek representatives.
"We have, in effect, designed a tight buffer cable with all the benefits of a loose tube cable," explains Beni Blell, RCDD, fiber-optic product business manager for Berk-Tek. "Whereas this new, two-fiber Adventum cable was developed to specifically address a CCTV application, this is also ideal for Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs) where long runs in non-dedicated pathways are common and require the cable to be robust enough to be pulled with up to 300 lbs alongside coax, UTP, POTS, and power cables," he adds.
This new series of Adventum cables is patent pending and is now a standard stock item available through distribution with riser and plenum ratings and in multimode or singlemode fiber constructions. The cable features the company's GIGAlite premium fibers and can also be built using GIGAlite-10XB fiber, a laser-optimized, 50-micron fiber. In addition, no buffer tube fan-out kits are required, and direct termination with any field-installable connector is enabled. This cable is also available with one or both ends pre-terminated by Berk-Tek, as well as with optional Interlocking Armor, says the company.